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EULOGY 



ON THE 



REV. JOSEPH M C KEAN, D.D.LL.D. 

i 

Boylston Professor of Rhetorick and Oratory. 



DELIVERED 



BEFORE THE UNIVERSITY, CAMBRIDGE, 



APRLL 22, 1818. 



BY LEVI HEDGE, A.M. 

M 

FBOFESSOR OF XOG1CK AND METAFHTSICKS. 



Published by request. 



CAMBRIDGE, 

University Press....Hilliard & Metcalf. 

1818. 



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EULOGY. 

A he dispensations of providence in this place, 
for a few months past, have been peculiarly mourn- 
ful and distressing. A malignant epidemick has 
swept to the grave an alarming number of the in- 
habitants of our village. The arrows of death 
have fallen without discrimination on the active 
citizen and the hopeful youth, the tender infant 
and the hoary head. Many houses have been fill- 
ed with sadness, and many hearts torn with an- 
guish. The University has borne a part in these 
sorrowful scenes, and the king of terrours still con- 
tinues to select his victims and display his triumphs 
within our consecrated walls. Successive inroads 
of death have, within a short period, been made 
among the students of this society, and have call- 
ed us to weep with bereaved parents, kindred, 
and classmates. 

When we see our promising youth, the delight 
of friends and the hope of their country, thus rap- 



4 

idly following each other to the desolate chambers 
of the grave, we are struck at the dark and myste- 
rious ordination of heaven, and are led to exclaim, 
"How unsearchable are the judgments of God, and 
his ways past finding out I" 

We are now visited with a repetition of these 
chastisements, under circumstances of singular se- 
verity and deep affliction. We are assembled to 
pay an affectionate tribute of respect to the memory 
of one, who was endeared to us by the ties of 
friendship and by official relations ; and who was 
important to the community by those talents and 
virtues, which qualified him for various and exten- 
sive usefulness. The tender connexions of domes- 
tick life are rent asunder — religion and humanity 
have lost a devoted friend — a lamp in the temple 
of science is extinguished — and the youth of this 
society are bereaved of a distinguished instructer 
and a skilful guide. 

Examples of moral and intellectual eminence, 
when found in real life, are important instruments 
of instruction and improvement. To continue the 
influence of such examples, when those by whom 
they were displayed are removed from the earth, 
mankind have, in every period of the world, had 



5 

recourse to expedients for preserving the remem- 
brance of individuals, placed in conspicuous sta- 
tions, or distinguished by their virtues, their attain- 
ments, or their services to their fellow men. The 
philosophers and heroes of ancient times were ex- 
hibited to the senses in statues and in paintings. 
Biographical delineations are appropriate memo- 
rials of deserving characters ; and, when made 
with a respect for the laws of truth, must be pro- 
ductive of beneficial effects. The portraits of the 
illustrious dead, presented to the view of succeeding 
generations, can hardly fail to excite in many a 
laudable ambition to become, in like manner, great 
and distinguished. To such an honourable testimo- 
nial of our esteem, none have a fairer claim than 
those, in whom were united the scholar and the 
christian. 

Professor M c Kean was born in Ipswich, in the 
county of Essex, on the 19th of April, 1776. His 
father, who is now living, under an accumulated 
weight of years, is a native of Glasgow, in Scot- 
land, and came to this country in 1763. He was an 
inhabitant of Boston, at the commencement of the 
war of the revolution, whence he retired to the 
forenamed place, on account of the interruption of 



6 

business, occasioned by that event. The sou, when 
a child, was remarked for activity and vivacity ; 
and gave early indications of more than common 
powers. He was taught the first rudiments of clas- 
sical literature at a publick school in Boston, He 
was afterwards placed in the academy at Andover ; 
and was prepared for the University by Dr. Ebe- 
nezer Pemberton, from whom, on leaving that 
seminary, he brought emphatick testimonials of his 
talents and industry. At the time of Commence- 
ment, 1790, he was admitted into Havard College, 
at the tender age of fourteen years and three 
months. He had the merit, through his academical 
course, of holding a high rank at all the literary 
exercises of his class ; and in several branches 
was much distinguished, particularly in the clas- 
sical studies and in mathematicks. 

Having received the honours of College in 1794, 
he instructed a school for more than a year in the 
town of his nativity, and at the same time com- 
menced his professional studies with the Rev. Dr. 
Dana of that place. Towards this pious and ex- 
cellent man, he retained, to the close of life, sen- 
timents of grateful respect and esteem, ever ac- 
knowledging, with great sensibility, the important 



benefits he derived from his society, instruction, 
and example. 

When the term of his engagement in Ipswich 
was expired, he took charge of the academy in 
Berwick, and continued his theological studies with 
the Rev. Mr. Thompson. Having completed his 
allotted time of service there, he removed to Bos- 
ton, where he resided a short time, and finished his 
preparation for the ministry with the Rev. Dr. 
John Eliot, between whom and Professor M c Kean 
there ever afterwards existed an uninterrupted har- 
mony and friendship, cemented and strengthened 
by a reciprocation of kind offices, and by an undis- 
guised and confidential interchange of thoughts and 
sentiments. 

Being approved by the Boston association, he 
immediately commenced the exercise of his pro- 
fession. His services were received from the first 
with high favour ; and in a short time he was invit- 
ed to a settlement in Milton. This first invitation 
he thought proper to accept, and in November^ 
1797? was ordained to the pastoral office. 

The fidelity and ability, with which he perform- 
ed the ministerial duties, gave the people of his so- 
ciety the encouraging expectation of his future and 



8 

growing usefulness among them. But it pleased the 
Supreme Disposer of events to disappoint their 
hopes. A long and dangerous sickness, in the sum- 
mer of 1803, left him in such a state of debility, 
that he was induced the following year, though 
with great reluctance, to ask a dismission from his 
parochial charge. This was regularly granted 
him, with an honourable recommendation, by an 
ecclesiastical council, convened to witness and rat- 
ify the separation. The shock which his constitu- 
tion, till that time uncommonly firm and robust, 
had received from this sickness, was sensibly felt 
for many years, and was never fully repaired. 
He was advised by physicians to avoid the effect 
of severe cold, by passing the winter months in the 
milder climates of the south. This precaution was 
adopted with respect to the winter previous to the 
separation from his people, and two seasons subse- 
quent to that event. One of these winters was 
spent in the island of Barbadoes 5 the other two in 
South Carolina and Georgia. The benefits derived 
from the change of scene and climate, from the air 
of the ocean, and the exercise of travelling were 
very important 5 and his health was so much im- 
proved, that he was able to employ his talents for 



the benefit of his family and of the publick. He 
preached occasionally with great acceptance, and 
might have been eligibly re-settled in the ministry, 
over a society in Boston,* where he then resided. 
But he was apprehensive, that his lungs were too 
weak to support the frequent exercise of publick 
speaking ; and his general health insufficient to 
justify him in resuming the arduous labours of a 
stated ministry. He again engaged in the busi- 
ness of instruction. In this useful vocation he 
ever took great delight, and never failed to per- 
form its duties to the high satisfaction of his em- 
ployers. 

He was afterwards induced to accept a seat in 
the legislature of the Commonwealth, with which 
he was twice honoured by the citizens of Boston. 
As he always felt a great interest in the objects of 
political science, and in publick affairs, and pos- 
sessed talents, which would have insured him an 
honourable standing among legislators and states- 
men, many of his friends were desirous of advanc- 
ing him forward into publick life ; and for a while 
he appeared to listen to their suggestions. He had 

* He was invited by the society in Hollis street to settle as a col- 



league with the Rev. Dr. West. 



3 



10 

previously directed his attention to legal studies, 
thinking it expedient for his health to make a ma- 
terial change in his habits of life. This circum- 
stance will contribute to explain his declining 
the office of Hollis Professor of Mathematicks 
and Natural Philosophy, which was tendered 
to him by the Corporation of the University, 
in the vacancy of that department, occasioned by 
the elevation of Professor Webber to the chair of 
Presidency. This professorship, under other cir- 
cumstances, would have been gladly accepted ; as 
it would have given him a favourable opportunity 
for extending his inquiries in a delightful and im- 
portant field of knowledge, for which he had an 
early predilection. 

About two years from his declining this office, 
the eyes of the Corporation were placed on him a 
second time, and he was elected to fill the Boyls- 
ton Professorship of Rhetorick and Oratory, which 
had then become vacant. The increasing firmness 
of his health was among the reasons, which influ- 
enced his concurrence with the College Boards in 
this appointment. It was a flattering acknowledg- 
ment of his abilities and scholarship to be selected, 
by so learned a board of judges, as the immediate 



11 

successor of a man of such profound and splendid 
talents, and of such merited celebrity in the vari- 
ous walks of literature and science, as the Hon- 
ourable John Quincy Adams. Doctor M e Kean 
was inaugurated in this professorship, October 
81, 1809 ; from that time till within a few months, 
his talents and fidelity have been displayed to our 
view, in the regular discharge of his official duties. 
Of the few last weeks of his life, and the cir- 
cumstances immediately connected with his death, 
the particulars are imperfectly known. He had 
been induced by the advice of physicians and 
friends, more than by his own judgment, to escape 
the hazards of winter in this place, by goiug to a 
milder climate, hoping, under Providence, that he 
might thus obtain some melioration of his com- 
plaints, and a protraction of life, though without 
any expectation of a final recovery. The benefits 
anticipated by a change of climate were not real* 
ized in the slightest degree. Immediately on his 
arrival at Havanna, he was seized with a general 
debility, accompanied by other alarming symp- 
toms, from which he obtained not even a momen- 
tary relief. In these circumstances, in a land of 
strangers, at a distance from all his dearest con- 



IS 

nexions, he was not however without the solace 
of sympathy, and the kind attentions that his case 
required. He was received into a family* from 
this vicinity, recently established there, to whom 
he was personally not unknown, and who omitted 
nothing to soothe and comfort his last hours. But 
every care was ineffectual. He bade a final adieu 
to this world of suffering and change, on the 17th 
of March, in the full possession of his mental pow- 
ers, and with unshaken trust in the mercy of God, 
through the merits of his Son. 

The premature loss of this distinguished and ex- 
cellent man is deeply felt by a large portion of the 
community. He was highly esteemed for his piety, 
his eminent virtues, and particularly his active 
benevolence. The kind author of nature had en- 
dowed him with a strong, clear, and discriminating 
mind, which was highly cultivated by a life of 
reading and study. His perceptive powers were 
uncommonly quick and active ; and if, by too rapid 
a procedure, he was at any time betrayed into 

* The family alluded to is that of Mr. Samuel Curson, late of Bos- 
ton, who kindly invited Dr. McKean to his house, on his first arrival at 
Havanna. The affectionate and unceasing- attentions, shown him by Mr. 
Curson and lady, also by his mother and sister in law, Miss C. Searle, 
are acknowledged with peculiar gratitude by the friends of Dr. 
McKean. 



13 

errour, that errour, when discovered, was candidly 
acknowledged and promptly corrected. His attain- 
ments were not of a superficial character, nor lim- 
ited to a few select branches of science. An ar- 
dent curiosity prompted him to seek a general ac- 
quaintance with the objects of human knowledge ; 
and he investigated with care and perseverance the 
subjects, which fell under his examination. The 
constitution of his mind was however better adapt- 
ed to general views, than to minute speculations. 
He grasped with great readiness the leading out- 
lines of systems and theories, and could with 
wonderful perspicacity descry their various bear- 
ings and tendencies, when he did not pursue gen- 
eral principles through their subordinate windings, 
and to their remotest ramifications. 

He indulged himself in a manner of study more 
desultory, than would generally be found benefi- 
cial ; but with him it was attended with no ill con- 
sequences. He classified his thoughts with remark- 
able facility, and by philosophical principles rather 
than by casual associations. His various and 
extensive acquisitions were adjusted in a happy 
order, and were always subject to his command. 
He was rarely incumbered with a labouring recol- 



14. 

lection. His memory was prompt as well as 
retentive ; two qualities seldom united in a superi- 
our degree. 

He placed a high value on classical learning ; 
and was able to read the Greek and Roman au- 
thors with much ease. He was conversant with 
natural, civil, and ecclesiastical history, and the 
most approved works on criticism and taste. But 
the studies best suited to his inclination, and the pe- 
culiar construction of his mind, were of the severer 
sort. He was pleased with those speculations, 
which afforded exercise and scope to the energies 
of his intellect. In astronomy, phy sicks, and the 
exact sciences, his knowledge was ample. He was 
well acquainted both with the general history of 
moral and intellectual philosophy, and with the 
different theories of writers in those important 
sciences. He had within a few years devoted some 
portion of his time to antiquarian researches, and 
had collected a valuable cabinet of ancient coins 
and medals. 

His writings, a few specimens of which are be- 
fore the publick, exhibit great perspicuity, as well 
as strength, boldness, and originality. They are 
characterized rather by those qualities, which de- 



15 



pend on judgment and reasoning, than by those 
which result from imagination and fancy. 

Grounding our judgment of Professor M c Kean 
on a candid survey of the structure of his mind, 
with the variety and extent of his attainments, it 
connot be deemed unmerited eulogy to assert, that 
he occupied a high and honourable rank among 
the learned men of our country. He received flat- 
tering testimonials of his character and attainments 
from learned societies in various parts of the com- 
munity. His name is encircled with the insignia of 
literature and science. He was Recording Secre- 
tary and a most efficient member of the Massachu- 
setts Historical Society. He was an honorary mem- 
ber of the Historical Society of New York. He 
had been elected a Fellow of the American Acad- 
emy of Arts and Sciences ; but this honour, by 
reason of his numerous engagements of a similar 
nature, he saw fit to decline. The degree of Doc- 
tor of Laws had been conferred on him by the 
College in Princeton, N. J. and that of Doctor 
of Divinity, by a rising institution in Pennsylvania. 

As Professor of Rh^torick and Oratory, his 
character is too well known in this place, to need 
a particular delineation. A scrupulous regard to 



16 

duty, and to the best interests of the University, 
led him to discharge, with unexampled punctual- 
ity, the multiplied duties of his office. The abil- 
ity and success, with which he performed the busi- 
ness of instruction, and his unremitting attention 
to the moral and religious, as well as the intellec- 
tual improvement of his pupils, will be gratefully 
acknowledged by those, who have enjoyed the 
benefit of his labours, His publick lectures reflect 
honour on himself and the University. In these 
it was his aim to give condensed and summary 
views of what was most important to be known on 
the subjects, which successively came under his 
notice. The different kinds of eloquence, with 
their characteristick properties and appropriate 
rules, were described with clearness and brevity. 
He was happy in drawing his illustrations from 
sources, which were both instructive and interest- 
ing. These were often made with such peculiar 
pertinency, and with such felicity of language, as 
to produce a sensible effect on his audience. 

As a christian minister, Doctor M c Kean was 
highly respected and beloved. He had faithfully 
laboured to qualify himself for the sacred calling. 
He had examined the works of criticks and com- 



17 

mcntators, and was well acquainted with the dif- 
ferent views of theological writers. These he res- 
pected as valuable reservoirs of information. But 
the Bible was to him the only infallible source of 
knowledge on this momentous subject. This was 
a part of his daily study. From this he extracted 
the doctrines of his religion and the maxims of his 
life. He was catholick and charitable in his feel- 
ings, and could have pleasant communion with 
those, who differed from him on points of faith. 
While he claimed the right of judging for himself, 
he was willing to allow others the same privilege ; 
and he respected the sincere and pious of every 
denomination. 

In the pulpit, his manner was serious and fer- 
vent ; his discourses, plain, evangelical, and per- 
suasive. He rarely discussed in publick those 
speculative questions, which are regarded with 
unceasing jealousy by sectaries and poleraicks. He 
urged, with most frequency and satisfaction, the 
obvious and uncontroverted truths of Christianity. 
He was far however from withholding any doc- 
trines of revelation, which he conceived to have a 
foundation in truth, and to be important to the sal- 
vation of men. These he stated with clearness, 
and enforced by eloquent appeals to the conscience 



- 



18 

and the heart, calculated to alarm the hypocrite 
and the infidel, to awaken the thoughtless to con- 
sideration, and reclaim the wayward to the path 
of duty and happiness. 

In the intercourse of private and social life, he 
displayed the most endearing qualities of mind and 
heart. He was happily fitted for the offices aud 
pleasures of friendship. In the society of friends, 
the smile of cheerfulness enlightened his counte- 
nance. His versatility of talent, his captivating 
powers, and animated tone of conversation, made 
him an agreeable and instructive companion. There 
was a portion of enthusiasm in his constitution, 
which prompted him to pursue with ardour the en- 
terprises, in which he was engaged. His feelings 
were warm and generous ; his attachments strong 
and devoted. In all the relations of domestick 
life, he was an example worthy of imitation. 

His hospitality was sincere and extensive. His 
benevolence was frequently exerted in brightening 
the face of the sorrowful, and in giving relief to 
the distressed. His life was filled with numerous 
and well directed acts of publick and private mu- 
nificence. He was a member of various societies 
for pious and charitable purposes. To these he 
devoted a liberal portion of his time and property : 



19 

and in several of them sustained important offices, 
the duties of which he discharged with conscien- 
tious fidelity. 

Such were the life, talents, and virtues of the 
man, whose death has filled us with grief and hea- 
viness. To the bereaved mourners we tender our 
unavailing sympathies ; divine consolations alone 
can sustain them under this burden of sorrow. 
Their grief is too sacred to he approached from 
this place. We affectionately commend them to 
that Being, who can turn present chastisements into 
eventual blessings. 

You, honoured and respected guardians of the 
University, are by this afflictive event, deprived of 
a faithful servant, eminently furnished with gifts 
for the functions, to which you had called him. To 
you it belongs to repair the breach, which Provi- 
dence has made ; and may heavenly wisdom guide 
you in this important duty. 

To us, my brethren and associates in the imme- 
diate government and instruction of this seminary, 
the event we deplore speaks in monitory language. 
One of our number has been called to give an ac- 
count of his stewardship. May his example of sea- 
sonable and active performance of duty excite us 
to increased diligence and fidelity, in the discharge 






so 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



029 934 556 7 



of our respective duties, that we may be ready to 
give up our accounts, when it shall please the Sove- 
reign of the Universe to call us from our labours. 

The students of this society will accept of our 
sincere condolence on their bereavement. By loud 
and reiterated admonitions, you have been recently 
taught, my young friends, the uncertainty of all 
sublunary things. May divine grace assist you to 
profit by these salutary instructions. In the death 
of your literary friend and esteemed professor, you 
sustain a heavy loss. But he has left you a rich 
legacy in his example, which you will cherish with 
grateful remembrance. You may there learn with 
what habitual industry the business of life is to be 
performed, and with what assiduous care the tal- 
ents you possess are to be cultivated. 

The citizens of this place are sharers with us in 
the grief of this occasion. We have lost an exem- 
plary christian, an able counsellor, and a kind 
neighbour. But we have cause of thankfulness 
to the Most High for lending us a friend endowed 
with such pre eminent powers, and for directing 
those powers into so many channels of usefulness 
to mankind. 



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029 934 556 7 



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